KYOCERA Manufacturing Plant in Fukushima Receives Japan's 2012 Minister of
the Environment Award
Marking third consecutive year Kyocera has been recognized for efforts to
combat climate change, adds to numerous city, state and national environmental
honors in California and Mexico
Business Wire
KYOTO, Japan -- December 06, 2012
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) announced that the company's
Fukushima Tanagura Plant (Fukushima Pref.) has received Japan's 2012 Minister
of the Environment Award for the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global
Warming (countermeasures category) in recognition of its comprehensive
environmental protection activities. This is the third consecutive year that
Kyocera has been a recipient, following the 2011 award for the company's
central Japan manufacturing plants in the countermeasures category, and the
2010 award for Kyocera's high-output solar module in the technology
development / product category.
230kW solar power generating system on Kyocera's Fukushima plant (Photo:
Business Wire)
230kW solar power generating system on Kyocera's Fukushima plant (Photo:
Business Wire)
This latest award adds to the many others Kyocera has received worldwide. Most
recently, Kyocera Mexicana S.A. de C.V., a manufacturing plant in Tijuana,
Mexico was awarded its third consecutive Industria Limpia (Clean Industry)
Certification from the Mexican government. Kyocera Communications Inc., a San
Diego-based provider of wireless phones, earned a "2012 Environmental
Excellence Award" from the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) in the
category of Climate Change for reducing its environmental impact by
fundamentally altering its freight-shipping practices. Kyocera also boasts the
distinction of San Diego's "most awarded" company for its various
environmental programs, earning 19 awards from the city for recycling and
other business practices.
For this year's Minister award, Kyocera's Fukushima Tanagura manufacturing
plant was nominated by the local township and was recognized for its
comprehensive and community-based efforts. Kyocera has continually carried out
environmental efforts over the years, but in response to an increased need for
energy conservation following the disasters of March 2011, Kyocera further
enhanced its activities at the plant, including the expansion of solar energy,
implementation of demand control ventilations, and adoption of hybrid cars.
"This award is the result of our positive communication with the community and
the efforts of employees to help combat climate change," said the plant
manager, Toshiaki Nakanishi. "We would like to express our deep appreciation
to all those involved."
Specific Programs
1. Energy conservation
Kyocera has installed 1,830 solar panels on the building's roof, realizing a
power generation capacity of 230kW. This is the equivalent power used by 57
households and supplies approximately 6% of the annual electricity used at the
plant. In addition, Kyocera adopted demand control ventilations, thus reducing
electricity used for air conditioning by 10-30%.
2. Reduction of CO[2] emissions
A 53m x 4.5m curtain of foliage was grown on the west side of the
administration building to provide shade from direct sunlight and heat
radiation during the hot summer. These Green Curtains mitigate the surface
temperature of the outer wall by roughly 12 degrees Celsius, helping to lower
the building's internal temperature and thus reducing energy required for air
conditioning.
3. Water conservation
Kyocera implemented special types of faucets to save water. In addition,
discharged water from compressor drains is reused for landscape irrigation.
4. Reduction in gasoline use
By replacing four of the six company cars with hybrid vehicles, Kyocera
reduced gasoline consumption and CO[2] emissions.
5. Community education
Kyocera employees offer "Eco-Lessons" to local elementary schools by using
solar energy as an educational subject. Since 2007, employees from the plant
have provided Eco-Lessons to 2,404 students at 56 local schools.
6. Forest conservation
50 Kyocera employees volunteered to thin trees and cut grass in a forest
located near the company's site. Kyocera plans to foster biodiversity in this
forest after further land preparation.
About the Award
The Minister of the Environment Award for the Promotion of Measures to Cope
with Global Warming was established in 1998 by Japan's Ministry of the
Environment. The award is given every year in December to coincide with Global
Warming Prevention Month, and is presented to individuals and groups that have
shown remarkable achievements in the prevention of global warming.
Learn more about Kyocera's Environmental Protection Activities:
http://global.kyocera.com/ecology/eco/index.html
About KYOCERA
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the
parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a
producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining
these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with
other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power
generating systems, telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers,
electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial
ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2012, the company's net sales
totaled 1.19 trillion yen (approx. USD14.5 billion). The company is ranked
#426 on Forbes magazine's 2012 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest
publicly traded companies.
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Contact:
KYOCERA Corporation (Japan)
Hina MORIOKA, +81-(0)75-604-3416
Corporate Communications
webmaster.pressgl@kyocera.jp
Fax: +81-(0)75-604-3516